MET NOTES

ST. LOUIS – Willie Randolph officially declared his rotation for the next two series, and all of it is as expected.

Randolph said Jose Lima will pitch in tomorrow afternoon’s series finale against the Cardinals, which will mark his third start as a Met. Jeremi Gonzalez will make his second Mets start Friday against the Yankees, with Pedro Martinez and Tom Glavine pitching on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

Martinez, meanwhile, said yesterday that going against the Yanks last season wasn’t different for him than pitching against the Yankees while he was with the Red Sox.

“Not to me. I have the same approach for everybody,” he said. “So to me, it’s just one more game. Normal work for me.”

One interesting matchup will be Martinez facing his old Boston teammate, Johnny Damon.

“Nothing weird. I’ve faced him before. J.D. is a good dude. He’s doing his job. I’m doing mine. Great teammate. Great person, but that’s about it,” Martinez said, adding, “For now, it’s work. I’ll give him a big hug when I see him, but after that it’s all business. But I root for him unless it’s going against us. If it’s going against us, then we’re against him.”

Damon is a career 4-for-19 off Martinez with no extra base hits.

Martinez is 11-10 with a 3.13 ERA against the Yankees in 30 games, more than he’s pitched against anyone.

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As for Brian Bannister (strained right hamstring), the Mets said the rookie will make a rehab start tomorrow at Triple-A. Randolph said he figured Bannister would not require multiple rehab starts. Assuming that carries through, Bannister could be off the DL next week.

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Martinez also discussed the Mets’ recent attention in New York these last two seasons.

You have to give the Yankees credit,” he said. “They’re the No. 1 team in probably baseball, but popularity with us, it’s [gone] up a little bit.”

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Next Thursday, Mike Francesa and Chris Russo will call the Mets’ game on WFAN as part of a special promotion for charity.

-Additional reporting by Andrew Marchand.